Worship

Pastor Kevin Haah conveys of the importance of sharing stories within the community. New City Church listens to each other’s stories, including those of members from skid row and from those living in nearby lofts. They recognize their shared brokenness … Read the Post

Pastor Elwood Carson portrays the complexities associated with becoming a multi-ethnic congregation. He talks about having to adapt his African American preaching style as Latino neighbors join the congregation. Also, the congregation embodies differences between people and their various stages … Read the Post

Pastor Doi discusses the role of preaching and relational connections in a diverse context, including the role of emotions in worship. → On p 198 Branson writes about the varied ways cultures deal with emotions. Compare Doi’s comments about emotions … Read the Post

Pastor Doi connects how Epic church cares about inclusion, rooted in Jesus stories. The church attends to how matters of power and inclusion affect church conversation patterns, meals, and worship. → On p 140, Martínez writes about the importance of … Read the Post

Churches in transition need to attend to their local neighborhoods. Rev. Buchanan describes the creation of diversity on boards and for worship leadership. This Los Angeles church was located in the midst of film and music industries, so members and … Read the Post

Mark Lau Branson, Ed.D.

Mark is the Homer L. Goddard Associate Professor of the Ministry of the Laity at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he teaches courses in congregational leadership and community engagement.

Juan F. Martínez, Ph.D.

Juan is Associate Dean in charge of the Center for the Study of Hispanic Church and Community and Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies and Pastoral Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.

Archives

That is the purpose of our writing: to help men and women in our churches to see differently and to gain the skills and competencies needed for multicultural contexts. We want to encourage church leaders to create environments that make God’s reconciling initiatives apparent in church life and in our missional engagement with neighborhoods and cities.

Using the frameworks of practical theology and missional ecclesiology, we provide an introduction to the work of leadership and to social theory, including matters of social contexts, cultural variables, and ethnic identity.